Landowner special charge schemes

About special charge schemes

A Special Charge Scheme (SCS) is a charge levied on landowners, who benefit from infrastructure works on assets affecting their property. 

A Special Charge Scheme is a way for Council and property owners to share the cost of local infrastructure works, like sealing an unsealed road. If a project goes ahead, property owners who directly benefit may be asked to contribute towards part of the cost. 

Implemented under the Local Government Act, it allows Council to recover a percentage of its capital investment from those who benefit directly from the works. 

These works may include: 

• sealed roads
• kerb and channel
• footpaths
• underground drainage
• car parking 
• streetscape
• advertising
• design works. 

Special charge schemes help make some local road improvements possible sooner, particularly where general rates alone cannot fund works at scale. 

We calculate these charges based on the benefit to each included property. 

Deferral payment options are available, as well as and other payment arrangements for those who can demonstrate financial difficulty or hardship. 

Our Special Charge Scheme Policy outlines our approach to special charge schemes within the framework of the Local Government Act. The policy also outlines the scheme process in appendix 1. 

Property Owners engagement

Property Owner engagement is central to any special charge scheme. 

As per the Local Government Act 2020 and the Special Charge Scheme Policy, an extensive community engagement process with impacted property owners is required before any formal decisions are made around the upgrades. 

Property owners are invited to ask questions, provide feedback and are presented with a proposal, which they can choose to formally support or object. 

If a road moves forward for further consideration: 

• Property owners will be consulted early and throughout the process. 
• Property owners can provide feedback and are able to support or oppose a special charge scheme proposal. 
• Information will be provided on costs and proposed scope of works 

Majority support is required for any special charge scheme proposal to proceed. 

Special Charge Schemes give communities a say in improving their local roads, while making sure the costs are shared fairly between Council and those who benefit most.

Local Street Sealing Initiative (LSSI)

The Local Street Sealing Initiative (LSSI) guides future planning, assessment and engagement for sealing residential unsealed roads across the shire. 

The LSSI is a long‑term framework that sets out a fair, transparent and consistent approach to: 

• Identifying residential unsealed roads that may be considered for sealing as part of a Special Charge Scheme. 
• Assessing roads using evidence‑based criteria 
• Planning and engaging with communities over time 
• Considering opportunities to progress road sealing where conditions and community support allow 

To the included for consideration, an unsealed road needs to be located within a residential area with 25 properties or more per kilometre. 

More than 170 unsealed residential streets have been included for consideration under this new initiative. 

Inclusion in the LSSI does not guarantee that a road will be sealed or set a timeframe for works, but it means that a road may be eligible for future engagement as part of a special charge scheme.  

Find out more about the Local Street Sealing Initiative 

Paying your contribution

Paying your contribution over time 

You can pay over a number of years (specified at the time of the declaration of your special charge scheme), in the same way you pay your annual rates. 

Financing costs, like home loan interest rates, are added to your charge. This is determined following advice from Council’s financial institution. The interest rate is fixed for the period of the special charge. 

Paying a lump sum 

Property owners who choose to pay a lump sum, pay the full amount (with no financing costs) by the relevant annual rates due date. 

Financial hardship 

We understand that some property owners may experience financial hardship, and payment support is available. 

Council is committed to working respectfully and confidentially with property owners to help find an option that works for your situation. 

If you are having difficulty meeting your payment obligations, we can: 

• discuss financial hardship arrangements 
• provide information about repayment or deferment options, where available 

Support options will be outlined in correspondence, and Council encourages affected residents to get in touch. 

Enquiries

Contact the Major Roads Projects team 
Ph: 1300 787 624  
Mail: mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au